Fairfield County, Ohio - Chapter 12: The Medical Profession, 1912

Chapter 12: The Medical Profession

A Brief History of Medicine - Doctors of the Old School - Medical History of Fairfield County (by Dr. H. M. Haselton) - Sketches of Drs. J. H. Goss, Geo. IV. Boerstler, Tom O. Edwards, Michael EEnger, F. L. Flowers, P. M. IVagenhals, Hervey Scott - List of Physicians and Surgeons in the County - The Dentists - The Park Street Hospital - The Lancaster Medical Research Club.

A Brief History Of Medicine

"The proper study of mankind is man; higher than this there is none." The above is a philosophical truth - expressed many centuries ago. It has the same force to-day, for the proper study of man leads to the study of the laws of God as applied to and as governing man. The study of medicine is the study of man in most vital relations. It is as old as civilization itself.

The history of medicine must necessarily begin with the written history of events. Its earliest period is enveloped in profound obscurity. It is largely myth and fable. We look to the Scriptures for our earliest account of medicine. In these writings may be gathered here and there a fair idea of Egyptian knowledge and practice. Egypt had a class of men who practiced the healing art, and they also embalmed the dead. The art of embalming required a rather definite knowledge of anatomy. Prof. Roswell Park, in his great history of medicine, says that probably the mythical being whom the Egyptians called

"Thoth," whom the Greeks named "Hermes," and the Latins "iVIercury," passed among the Egyptians as the inventor of all sciences and arts. They attributed to Thoth a large number of medical works, and great medical skill. A knowledge of medicine is not attained in a day. It is a growth of centuries. Perhaps no one of the professions is based more largely upon experience than medicine. Strabo says that the Egyptians exposed their sick and afflicted in the public squares; that any one who had been similarly afflicted might give his experience and advice for the benefit of the sufiferers. Herodotus says the same custom prevailed in Babylon. Pliny assures us that the kings of Egypt permitted the opening of corpses for the purpose of discovering the causes of disease. Thus originated the autopsy of modern days.

The Scriptures give ample proof of the medical knowledge of the Hebrews. The book of Leviticus is largely made up of rules concerning matters of public health. The measures suggested by Moses for the prevention of the spread of leprosy could not now be surpassed, says Professor Park. Solomon was skilled in medical lore next to Moses. To Solomon is attributed a very accurate knowledge of natural history. Josephus claimed Solomon had such perfect knowledge of the properties of all the productions of Nature, that he availed himself of it to make remedies extremely useful. A knowledge of medicine was widely extended among the Brahmins, a priest caste of India, who alone had the right to practice medicine.

These ancient priests practiced much absurdity, yet they had some knowledge that we of to-day cannot equal. "They are believed to have had an ointment that caused the cicatrices of variola to disappear, and they cured the bites of venomous serpents with remedies whose composition has been lost."

In China medicine has been practiced for almost untold centuries. Its study was introduced by the third emperor of the first dynasty, Hwangti. It was based upon the pulse. Great stress was placed upon the study of the pulse, for from it could be divined the seat, duration and gravity of the disease.

As the historian must look to Greece for much of the world's art, so also must the writer of medical history, for it was ^sculapius who gave to the Greeks, and thus to modern times, the first principles of medicine. .<^sculapius was supposed to be the son of Apollo and the nymph Coronis, and, as was true of Homer, a number of Grecian cities claimed the honor of his birthplace. He was the leading character in medicine of all the ancients. Temples were erected in his honor, and distinguished priests were dedicated to these temples, and schools of instruction founded. So noted did he become that, in later times, the imaginative Greeks related that when Pluto became alarmed at the daily diminishing number of arrivals in his kingdom, he complained to Jupiter, and the latter destroyed the audacious healer of men. From this event, some wit said, "The modern children of yEsculapius abstain from performing prodigies."

Pythagoras was the first to introduce the custom of visiting the sick in their own homes. He was a man of immense learning, and in many ways has left his mark upon the intellectual world.

But the central figure in the history of ancient medicine is Hippocrates, a descendant of ^Esculapius. To him at least lo volumes on the general practice of medicine are attributed by Renouard, who has made an exhaustive study of the life and work of Hippocrates. These writings, joined to those of Pythagoras, Plato and Aristotle, formed a definite part of the great libraries of Alexandria and Pergamos - "The most ancient authentic monument of medical science." Next in order comes the work of Alexander the Great, who collected the riches, intellectual and natural, of the universe. The value of this collection - the great Alexandrian Library - will never be exhausted.

The most noted of the early Roman writers on medicine was Aulus Cornelius Celsus. Celsus was a man of very wide and accurate knowledge - in fact, he was a walking cyclopedia of the day.

But the most noted, as well as influential, of all the early physicians was the great Galen (13 1 -20 1 A. D.). He was a native of Pergamos. He traveled widely, and studied at Alexandria. He practiced at Rome, where, by his brilliant logic, eloquence, profound erudition, great versatility and practical skill he easily took first rank. He was a voluminous writer and he accomplished great things in anatomy and physiology. For many years after Galen the practice of dissection was dis-

I'^oUowing Galen came a long period of transition covering the Greek period of Rome, then the Arabic period, the great School of Salemum and the School of Montpellier. This brings the history of medicine down to 1400 A. D., when the "New Age" begins, running on to the present. This "New Age" - or the "Age of Renovation," as Renouard calls it, had a sudden awakening, following the establishment of hospitals and medical schools, the invention of the compass, the telescope and the microscope. Engraving on copper also added to this new age, but above all other influences was the invention of printing. This was the erudite period, and we find the names of Linacre, Vesalius, Columbus, Eustachius, Fallopius and others, prominent. Then we read of the great work of the University of Paris with its thousands of students from all nations. The "cell" doctrine was introduced after more extended study of botany and zoology in the i6th century.

But the great discovery of the time was that of Dr. William Harvey - the circulation of the blood, which he announced through his lectures from 1613 to 1619. The results of his researches were not published until 1628, and. because of the intense jealousy in his native England, his work was unable to pass censorship there, but was published in Frankfort, Germany.

The announcement of this discovery should have appealed at once to the intelligence of every doctor of the land. On the contrary it aroused bitter opposition, and. in fact, it caused a general stupefaction in the medical world. All classes of professional men took part in the discussion, especially naturalists and philosophers. Rene Descartes, one of the most brilliant men of any age, was the first to declare in favor of Harvey's argument, and Cambridge University accepted it in 1649. Harvey only answered his opponents by new proofs, and. in other ways maintained a dignified silence. He lived long enough to see his theory universally adopted.

Perhaps the most noted of all medical discoveries was that of Dr. Edward Jenner, widely known as the "Father of Vaccination." This great discoverer was born in 1749, and, when a medical student, was told by a milkmaid that cow-pox bad protective power against variola ; he reported the statement to his preceptor, Dr. John Hunter, in 1770. The young Jenner was told not to spend his time thinking about what had been told him, but "to investigate." The subject never afterward left his mind. Dr. Waterhouse, professor of medicine in Harvard College, made the first vaccinations in the United States, in 1800, upon four of his children.

The medical world is fully conversant with the wonderful work of Virchow, Langenbeck and his pupil, the great Billroth. "Billroth was for many years the surgical sun of Austria-Hungary, and he it was who performed the first resection of the larnyx, and of the stomach." And widely known in America are Dr. Waterhouse, Dr. Benjamin Rush, Dr. George B. Wood, and Dr. John C. Dalton, whose text-book is to-day studied in many colleges. None the less noted is Dr. Austin Flint, of New York, as a teacher and author. "His text-book on Practice is the most popular American work on the subject that has ever appeared, and is still in general use." Nor would we omit the name of the genial "Autocrat of the Breakfast Table," Dr.

Oliver Wendell Holmes, whose "Chambered Nautilus" will ever be a treasure of the human heart. For a third of a century he was professor of anatomy at Harvard.

Dr. Ephraim McDowell, of Danville, Kentucky, threw lustre upon the profession in America by having performed the first "rational and deliberate ovariotomy, in 1809." Names like those of S. D. Gross, J. Marion Sims, and D. Hays Agnew, will ever give a prominence to the medical profession in America equal to tiiat of any other country.

The history of medicine in any country would be incomplete without a reference to the discovery of Dr. William T. G. Morton - viz. : the use of ether in surgery, first proved to the world in October, 1846. On his tomb in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Boston, is this self-explanatory inscription:

"Inventor and revealer of anaesthetic inhalation, before whom in all time surgery was agony, and by whom pain in surgery was averted and annulled ; since whom science has controlled pain."

The discovery of anti-sepsis is equally important with that of anaesthesia. To Lord Lister is due this great honor, though his work was based upon the researches of Tyndall, Pasteur and Koch. Some antiseptic processes that would avail against putrefaction - in fact, an antiseptic system - had long been yearned for by the surgeons throughout the world. Lord Lister gave this system to the world, and upon its importance it is well here to quote Dr. Roswell Park :

"The writer makes no apology here for having introduced two distinct chapters - one upon the history of antiseptic surgery, the other upon the history of anresthesia. First of all they are the two grandest medical discoveries of all time ; and, secondly, they are of Anglo-Saxon origin - the one British, the other American. To the introduction of aniesthetics and antiseptics is due a complete revolution of earlier methods, complete reversal of mortuary statistics, and the complete relief of pain during surgical operations; in other words, to these two discoveries the human race owes more of the prolongation of life and relief of suffering than can ever be estin:ated or formulated in words. What an everlasting disgrace it is that, while to the great murderers of mankind, men like Napoleon in modern times and his counterparts in all times, the world ever does honor, erects imposing monuments and writes volumes of encomiums and flattering histories, the men to whom the world is so vastly more indebted for all that pertains to life and comfort are scarcely ever mentioned, save in medical history, while the world at large is even ignorant of their names. For this reason, if for none other, these chapters find an appropriate place in a work of this character."

In the same class from the point of usefulness to mankind may be placed the discovery in recent years of the great value of antitoxin by Prof. Von Behring, of Berlin, and the great work of Dr. Carl Schlatter, of Zurich, Switzerland, who completed the earlier work of the great Billroth, by the successful removal, in i8q6, of the entire stomach from his patient, Anna Landis, a silk weaver of Zurich.

The Mayo Brothers

Dr. William W. Mayo of Rochester, Minn., is the father of the two surgeons. He is 86 years old and very active. His sons grew up on a farm near the town and received a meager education but acquired a natural taste for the medical profession from their father.

rior to build a liospital. Because of the skill of these surgeons and the conscientious use which they made of it, they soon established a reputation for St. Mary's Hospital. The death rate of the patients in this hospital was so low as to be incredible to eastern surgeons. Having increased numbers of operations and of such great variety of cases and opportunities to examine, diagnose and treat almost every kind of surgical ailments, the}' always sought to do a little better than before. Each day on their increasing number of operations, therefore, they won the confidence of patients and surgeons alike. To the profession they have discovered their technical skill. The laity are satisfied in their calmness, assurance, thoroughness and simplicity in all things. They keep in condition for their work.

Rochester, Minn., is a country town of about 4,000 inhabitants. The famous surgeons of the world are visitors - come to visit these two country doctors ! One sees the work of the abdominal surgery, the gynecologist, the orthopedic surgeon, the aural specialist, the nose and throat specialist, the eye specialist. There is a large hospital of about 160 beds where cases go for operation.

In spite of the great demand prices charged are so reasonable that the poorest can obtain help there as low as $1.00 a day, including everj'thing. The Mayo Brothers do not grade their success by dollars and cents; their main motive at the bottom of all the rest is, with sincerity and singleness of purpose to do the best work and that only - they seek truth.

The Mayos engage to help them as colleagues the best men they can find - pathologists, electricians, clinicians, chemists, physiologists and laboratory experts, who work out and consider all details in connection with the diagnosis of each patient. They do not seek to formulate theories, but to work in accordance with established facts and conditions, seeking only the truth and careful not to be led into error. As soon as a piece of tissue is obtained from a case under treatment, the pathologist furnishes the surgeon with the result of his microscopic observation and that is his guide. These surgeons are natural, earnest and not self-seeking - the secret of all success. It is the obliteration of self - the life that is lived for others.

The medical profession in Fairfield County has always held a high rank. Its personnel shows to-day some of the most noted surgeons in Ohio, and a large number of the most successful practitioners.

We begin the long list of names of men who have practiced medicine in Fairfield County, and of those who are practicing to-day, \vith a list of the grand old men - those who helped to bring order out of chaos, to bridge the stream and to fell the forest - to teach the laws of health and to keep people strong and well.

The beginnings of Medical History of Fairfield County start with the Medical Society of the Thirteenth District of Ohio. This Society was composed of physicians who practiced in a district which was composed of Fairfield County, parts of Licking County, Hocking County, and Perry County. "Agreeable to an act of the Legislature passed Feb.

2y, 1824 to incorporate Medical Societies." Physicians and surgeons residing in the Thirteenth District, convened on the 25th day of Marcli, 1824, at Lancaster, Ohio, for the purpose of organization. The physicians at that meeting were as follows : Doctors Allen, Mc- Neill, Clark, White, Pardee, Wait, Harris, Whipple, Minor, Kemper, Talbot and Shaug. The organization was effected and the following officers chosen by ballot: President, Dr. Allen ; vice president. Dr. McNeill ; secretary. Dr. White; treasurer, Dr. Clark; censors, Drs. McNeill, White, Pardee, Harris, and Clark. After the election of officers the society adjourned until the following day and in the interim its members banqueted at the Gottleib Steinman Tavern, a famous tavern of early Lancaster. The following day the by-laws governing the society were adopted. Some of the articles of these by-laws are very interesting reading to the medical man of today. Article second provided that it was the duty of the censors to examine candidates for the benefit of a license to practice medicine. Immediately after the adjournment of a meeting of the society, the censors would examine the candidate for license. He was examined in the "several branches of medical science" and if found "capable" was admitted to practice. '

Reuben Culver was the first licentiate of the society. Article 8 of the by-laws provided that the candidate for license must be 21 years of age and pay ten dollars into the treasury before the license was granted. The causes for expulsion of a member from the society were gross immoral conduct, penitentiary offences, malpractice, and habitual intemperance.

The spal of the society was the square and the compass, and enclosed within this motto ; "The Medical Society of the Thirteenth District of Ohio." This society was in existence from the date of its organization until 1840 when interest lagged and its work ceased for a while at least. The Old Thirteenth District Society was one of the leading societies in the State and we find its members reading papers at gatherings of the Medical Profession in different parts of this state at that time. The Roll of Honor - men of this society from its early organization until 1840 - were such noted doctors as Drs. Allen, White, McNeill, Minor, Kreider, Hyde, Awl, Gohegan, Harris, Pardee, Whipple, Switland, Turner, Griggs, Culver, Powzade, Talbot and Shaug. These were men of the family physician type - a type which has almost passed away in these days of specialism. They did their work well and -never flinched where duty called them. Their patients honored them as they did their priest or minister. They were the men who fought the scourging epidemics of small-pox, black diphtheria, chills and fever and typhoid that were so prevalent at that time in this county. They did it the best they could with the means at their command. Their financial reward was insignificant but to know that they were victorious in their fight against these scourging epidemics was reward enough for them. It stamps them as men of honor and ability and showed their loyalty to the noble profession of which they were members.

In the early fifties the medical fraternity was again aroused to action and did valiant service for a period of twenty years. The meetings of the society were irregular and held at various places through the county, sometimes at Pleasantville other times at Ruslnille but most frequently at Lancaster, O. During this period we have such leaders of the profession as Doctor George Boerstler. Sr., Dr. Paul Carpenter, Dr. Davis, Dr. David

N. Kinsman, Dr. VVagenhals, Dr. Eftinger, Dr. Flowers and Dr. Lewis. Of this coterie of physicians Dr. George Boerstler Sr. was many times delegate to the state society and twice its honored president. It was during this period that the great cholera scare occurred in Fairfield County. To read the discussions of this dread disease by these able men is to know that they were men of great learning and knowledge.

in the early '70's the Fairfield County Society again took on new life and a great deal of scientific work was done. Here again we find men who are leaders in their profession working hard for the upbuilding of the society and the profession of the county. Some of this Old Guard are still on the firing line but the most of them are gone or retired from active business. The leading doctors of this period are Dr. George W. Boerstler Jr., Dr. J. H. Goss, Dr. G. A. Harmon, Dr. Nourse, Dr. George Courtright, Dr. J. T. Hufford, Dr. H. C. Brison, Dr. B. A. Thomas, Dr. Peter Hewetson, Dr. Lewis Jackson and Dr. Turner. Their place of meeting was the old market house on the public square. The last meeting was attended by only one member Dr. J. H. Goss, who was still willing to keep alive that spark of medical fraternalism that was burning very low at this time.

The Fairfield Counj;y Medical Society of the present day was organized in June, 1902. Its organization is on the plan adopted by the American Medical Association, that is that the County Society is the unit of organization. It is a component part of the Ohio State Medical Association and also of the .American Medical Association. Any member of the Fairfield County Medical Society in good standing is a member of the Ohio State Medical Association, and is likewise eligilile for

The first president of the organization in 1902, was Dr. J. H. Goss; the secretary was Dr. George O. Beery. The Fairfield County Medical Society of the present is a very active organization, since its organization in 1902 it has endeavored to enlist all the eligible members of the profession of the county to become members. In this it has succeeded until at the present time nearly eighty per cent of the physicians of the county are members of this society. This society stands for everything that is progressive in the way of medicine and surgery. It has fostered a spirit of fellowship and friendship among its members that can hardly be equaled in any other county of the state. The scientific work done by the members of this society is far above the average, its programmes are interesting and well discussed by tiie members attending. Members of this society have read papers before the State Society. Men of national reputation have appeared un the programme of this society. In 1905, the Fairfield County Medical Society 'entertained the Tenth District Medical Association which is the largest district society in the State. Over two hundred members were present at that meeting and Dr. W. S. Samson of Lancaster, O., was chosen the president for the ensuing year.

Our society has also develoi)ed the social side of its work and our annual outings at Buckeye Lake. Crystal Springs, and Mt. Pleasant have been the most pleasant incidents in the history of this society. At these gatherings physicians bring their wives and families and for the day forget their work and enjoy a good old fashioned holiday.

which the public will be greatly interested. We are planning public meetings at least twice yearly when men of national reputation will discuss such topics as Tuberculosis, Vaccination, Medical Inspection of Schools, Water Supply, The Milk Supply, Prevention of Blindness, and the organization of a National bureau of Health. The work of this society has been felt in the community and the health of the public has been so guarded that the census of 1910 ranked Lancaster the third city of the United States of its size as having the lowest death rate per thousand. Fairfield County is an ideal county in which to live and the Fairfield County Medical Society is doing its part to guard the health of its citizens and prevent the ravage of infectious diseases, so that in the future epidemic of Typhoid, Small-pox, Diphtheria and Malaria will be impossible. In this brief medical history of Fairfield County it will be seen that from the early organization of the society in 1824 until the present time there has been no disbanding of the organization. We are proud to say that with one exception the Fairfield County Medical Society is the oldest continuous medical organization in the State of Ohio.

Dr. J. H. Goss - One of the most active, energetic and successful physicians and surgeons Fairfield County ever produced was Dr. J. H. Goss. His name for more than a quarter of a century was a household word in Lancaster and the county of Fairfield. But his name and fame did not end there. He was frequently called in consultation and to take charge of difficult cases in other counties. His was a familiar face at all medical associations held in the county and at State medical

Dr. Goss was born in 1837 and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery in i860. In that year he began the practice of medicine in New Salem, Ohio. He entered military service as assistant surgeon in 1863 and was honorably released May 16, 1865. Upon his return he resumed practice at Lancaster, where he continued to enjoy a very large share of medical patronage until 1909, when he was compelled by an accident to retire from active practice. Returning from an urgent call, his carriage was struck by a street car and he was throw n out, sustaining a severe injury to his spine. Among the students who read medicine with Dr. Goss and afterwards became successful ])ractitioners, were Dr. O. P. Driver, the talented poet, who practiced in Basil and Bremen; Dr. Millard Welsh, son of Supt. George W. Welsh, and Dr. J. M. Kells.

Dr. Goss had a keen insight into human nature and a loving, kindly spirit. His charity work run up into thousands of dollars, yet he was glad to be of service to his fellow man.

Dr. Goss worked hard all his life, knowing full well that the good things - the great things - of life are not to be had for the asking. They come as a result of close study and intense application, and are often best learned in the school of adversity. The following lines from Holland's "Better Sweet" express in poetic numbers the object for which he lived and worked.

Dr. George W. Boerstler came to Lancaster in the year 1835 from Hagerstown, Md. He was born at Funkstown, Md., in the year 1792. He received a good education, his parents being anxious that he should enter the ministry of the Lutheran Church. His tastes were difi^erent, however, and he prevailed upon his father to permit him to study medicine; that being the profession of his father, he was not long in obtaining his consent. He therefore entered upon the study of medicine in his father's office. He was a diligent student and in the year 1820 graduated a Bachelor of Medicine at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. He married Elizabeth Sinks and settled at Boonsborough, Md., and practiced his profession. Later he moved to Hagerstown, Md. In the year 1835. with his daughter and son-in-law. Dr. Tom O. Edwards, he moved to Lancaster, Ohio. It was an opportune time, for Dr. Robt. McNeill, the most eminent physician of Lancaster, had just died, leaving a large practice. He formed the partnership with Dr. Edwards which continued for man}' years. The practice of Dr. McNeill rapidly fell into their hands and they made it their own. Their business increased rapidly and it was not long until the firm of Boerstler and Edwards was the most widely known of Lancaster.

throughout his life a medical student, always watching the progress of his profession; and his professional brethren considered him an expert in the diagnosis of diseases. His reputation was that of a learned and experienced physician and he was always in demand when a consultation was necessary. Dr. Loving, a distinguished physician of Columbus, in a paper written after his death spoke of him as an able and learned physician and wise in counsel. As a citizen he was respected by all classes, and no one stood higher in the estimation of the public as an honorable, upright man than Dr. George W. Boerstler. He took great interest in political affairs and was a Whig as long as there was a Whig party. His office was the headquarters of the leaders of the Whig party in 1840 and they called it the "Coon Box."

Dr. Boerstler was a pro-slavery man and did not endorse the anti-slavery tendencies of the Republican party, and in 1857 made Democratic speeches. In 1845 he made a patriotic address to the Fairfield County Militia, anticipating the Mexican War. In 1845 '^^ ^^'^s chief marshal of the day set apart for the funeral obsequies of General Andrew Jackson. He made an address in German on the occasion of the reception to Kossuth in Cincinnati in 1852. Dr. Boerstler was a member of the Fairfield County Medical Society, of the Ohio State Medical Society, and in 1850 became a member of the American Medical -Association. He died at his home in Lancaster, October, 1871.

Dr. Tom O. Edwards was born in the State of Maryland and came with his father-in-law Dr. Boerstler, to Lancaster in the year 1835. He became a partner of Dr. Boerstler and entered upon a large and lucrative practice. He was a student of politics and as early as 1840 was a stump speaker for the Whig party. He was a very popular man, social, polite, and entertaining, and few men, if any, were better known in Lancaster than Tom Edwards. He served two years in congress from this district in 1848 and 1849. He also was active and influential, more than usually so for a new member. After the close of his term in congress he was induced by a Boston Arm to take charge of a drug store to be established in Cincinnati. He accordingly moved his family to Cincinnati. He became quite prominent in local affairs, was elected to the city council and by the council made its president. He was also a professor in the Ohio Medical College. He did not remain in Cincinnati more than four or five years. He moved from there to Madison, Wisconsin, and from there t(j Dubuque, Iowa. In a few years he returned to Lancaster and entered again upon the practice of medicine. But old age began to tell upon him and he finally abandoned the practice and followed his son Thomas to Wheeling, W. Va., where he died a few years since.

Dr. Edwards was a genial man and made friends, but he was not a successful liusiness man and died poor. He mafic an eft'ort to better his fortune Ijy going to Pike's Peak during the gold excitement, but it was barren of results. His old office on Main Street, which was in 1840 the rest)rt of his Whig cronies and other friends, was called the "Coon Box" and was as famous as was the office of Dr. Wagenhals in t8rx3, which was also called the "Coon Box.'"

Dr. Tom O. Edwards served in congress with ex-President John Ouincy Adams and .\l)raham Lincoln in 1848. He was present in the House when the ex-President was stricken with paralysis and he was tlie physician who attended him until he died. Both he and Lincoln were members of the committee that escorted the body to Quincy, Mass. Dr. Edwards occupied a very respectable position in congress. He introduced a bill in the interest of pure drugs and this bill and his speech in support of it gave him some reputation. .\t this period Dr. Edwards was a very popular Whig politician of Lancaster. He made good speeches, was wide awake and alert. He was a good con\ersationalist, well informed and floated upon the \\a\e of popular favor. But politics brought him no money and ruined his professional prospects.

Dr. Michael Eftinger was born in Lancaster, Ohio, Decem])er. 11, 1819. He was a son of Samuel and Mary Xoble Efiinger. His grandfather, Samuel Xoble, came from Maryland, 181 1, and settled on a farm adjoining Tarlton, Ohio. His mother was a sister of Colonel John Noble. He attended tlie schools and the academy of Lancaster, and entered the Miami L'niversity and graduated with honor. He studied medicine in the office of Drs. Boerstlers and Edwards, leading physicians of Lancaster. He attended lectures and graduated at the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia. Returning to Lancaster he opened an office and commenced the practice of medicine. He continued to practice for about 50 years, being a most successful practitioner and honorable and useful citizen. In 1846 he was married to Miss Elmira Catlin, niece of Darius Tallmadge. He and General Sherman were friends and correspondents in their youth and their friendshij) continued through life. Jan. 5, 1890, he died after having been an in\alid for many years.

Dr. F. L. Flowers was born on a farm in Harrison County, W. Va., March 17, 181 1. In early life his father moved to Maysviile. Kv. His earlv advantages were few but by improving his leisure hours he became a thoughtful, brainy man. In 1S30 he came to Ohio, went to New Lisbon antl studied medicine with Dr. McCook, the father of the large family of fighting McCooks uf the Union army. Dr. Flowers attended medical lectures in 1836 and 18,^7, at the Ohio Aledical College in Cincinnati. In 1836 he began practice in New Salem, then in a few years went to Bunns\ille, Rehoboth and New Lexingtim. While at New Le.xington he was a member of the Legislature for seven years. He supported the Monroe bill for the establishment of the Reform School and he was the frientl of the school to the end of his life. In 1864 he graduated from the Homeo])athic Medical College and in 1874 he came to Lancaster, where he had a successful practice until his death in 1895. He left many friends as a result of his skill and attention in sickness.

Dr. P. M. Wagenhals was born in Carroll County, Ohio, the son of Rev. John Wagenhals. who was long the honored pastor of St. Peter's Lutheran Church. Lancaster. Dr. Wagenhals received his early education in the public .schools of Lancaster, afterwards studied medicine with Dr. Boerstler. He graduated from the University of Maryland. He was married to Susan Shaeffer and settled in Somerset and there he practiced until he removed to Lancaster in 1854. where he was a successful practitioner until about 1870. when he moved to Columbus, where he practiced his profession until his death. He was for a term of five years trustee of the Central T^unatic .Asylum in Columbus and during that time the splendid structure, the pride of Ohio, was built. We doubt if any doctor ever left behind him more sincere friends and admirers than Dr. Wagenhals, or who at his death was more sincerely mourned.

As a distinct profession, dentistry has only developed during the past century. Prior to that period some of the operations were performed by the medical practitioner, or perhaps by some artisan who was proficient in such operations. Some practitioners now living can recollect that the operation of extracting human teeth was performed by the barber or blacksmith.

The Romans probably acquired their dental knowledge from the Etruscans, and the Etruscans and Greeks from the Egyptians. Specimens of dental work in the shape of natural teeth bound together with gold, or artificial teeth of ivory, bone, wood, or stone, attached to natural ones by means of cord, or gold, or silver bands, have been found in the jaws of mummies, which were probably buried five or six hundred years B. C.

The use of porcelain as a material for artificial teeth was first proposed by Fauchard in 1728; but the manufacture of porcelain teeth was first begun by the French about 1774. Gold was the first metal used as a base for artificial teeth about 1789. Other metals which have been used as bases are silver, platinum, aluminum, tin and various alloys. Gutta percha as a base was introduced in England by Edwin Trusman about 1851. Celluloid was the next material tried, but being more porous and less durable than vulcanite, it is seldom used at present. Porcelain and a combination of platinum and porcelain are used to a great extent. Cast aluminum bases in place of swedged ones are in very great favor.

Modern bridge work or the insertion of artificial teeth by means of bands, springs or artificial crowns attached to the crowns or roots of the natural teeth is but a modification of methods pursued by the ancients many centuries before the Christian era. Gold shell crowns are used for the purpose of covering teeth too badly broken down to be amenable to the operation of filling. Those who do not care for the ornamentation of gold crowns have porcelain crowns fastened to the natural root.

Before the introduction of gold, lead foil was used as a material for filling. Tin, in the form of foil, has been used for filling teeth since 1783. In 1826, amalgams were introduced. An amalgam is a combination of one or more metals with mercury. The other plastics used at present include: Gutta percha, Hills' stopping, oxy-chloride of zinc, zinc phosphate, etc. Each of these cements has its definite uses and advantages, but all have the disadvantage of serving only as temporary fillings. The filling of pulp canals in dentalized teeth was introduced by Maynard & Baker of Washington, D. C.

One of the latest inventions in the art of dentistry is inlay work, either of porcelain, gold or similar materials, which are cemented into a tooth cavity in such form and shape as to fit it exactly.

from their attachments in consequence of local or constitutional disturbances, Ijut the treatment of this condition is still a somewhat knotty problem. When due to local causes, such as deposits of tartar, the treatment is principally local and consists in first removing the deposits, getting the teeth as smooth as possible and then adopting proper therapeutic and prophylactic measures. The constitutional cause, which is more often concerned, is the so-called gouty or rheumatic condition.

Orthodontia, or the art of regulating or correcting malpositions of the teeth, has recently developed into a distinct specialty, although some attention has been given it by dentists ever since the latter part of the eighteenth century.

Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, established in 1839, was the first institution of the kind in the world. It was the direct result of an agitation to put dentists on a higher professional plane, and followed an unsuccessful attempt to found dental chairs in medical schools. About the time of the Revolutionary war. dentists came to the United States from England and France. Atkinson first recommended the mallet as aid to the filling of teeth with gold. Bonner invented the rubber dam. Wells discovered the application to dentistry of nitrous o.xide, commonly known as laughing gas.

Dr. Hervey Scott

Dr. Hervey Scott, Educator, Physician, Dental Surgeon, Historian. Dr. Hervey Scott was born near Old Town, Green County, Ohio, Jan. 30, 1809. He remained on the farm of his father until his seventeenth birthday. From this time for a number of years he applied himself to improving his desired education and instructing children in the county schools, making his home in South Charleston, Ohio.

When he was twenty-four years of age he commenced the study of medicine, attending the Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati, and in 1836 he entered practice. This he continued for three years when he turned his attention to dentistry, which profession he followed for almost fifty years. He located in Lancaster, Ohio, in 1838, where he resided until 1891. when he went to Toledo, Ohio, to live with his daughter, Mrs. Hutchinson. On the seventh day of November, 1830, he was married to Lydia Mitton, of South Charleston, who died childless on the 12th day of June, 1840. On the loth day of April, 1842, he was a second time married to Priscilla A. Crook of Lancaster, Ohio, who was the mother of his children. Her death occurred July 14, 1873. His family consisted of six children, viz: Hervey, Mary E., Sarah M., John Clark, Charles and William. Two of these children, Mary E. and Charles, died in infancy. His son. Dr. J. Clark Scott, is a practicing dentist of Lancaster, with an experience of many years. He has two sons. Dr. W. M. Scott and Dr. S. M. Scott that are dentists, now located in Lancaster. Thus it will be seen that three generations have taken up dentistry as their chosen profession. Not frequently is this condition found. Dr. Hervey Scott's youngest

Dr. Scott manifested a decided liking for journalistic work and his many historical and pioneer sketches have attracted wide-spread attention. He was especially fond of recounting the incidents and events of years long gone by - pertaining to pioneer life. His fund of thrilling happenings during his youth and early manhood seemed almost inexhaustible. In 1859 he bought the Lancaster Gazette and American Democrat, consolidating the two papers for the benefit of his son Hervey, who was a practical printer.

"The History of Fairfield County," was a very meritorious production of Dr. Scott's and made its advent in 1876. Throughout it was \ery correct and highly appreciated by the people of the county. At the time of his death Dr. Scott was eighty-seven years of age. He possesser a wonderfully strong physical organization, coming from a hardy race of people. His father was close to the century mark at the time of death.

The death bed scene of Dr. Scott was certainly the most beautiful. He spoke of death in a happy and cheerful frame of mind and as the parting words to those about him left his lips a smile came upon his face which lasted even unto death. His life was certainly an exemplary one. He was a close student of human nature and was the friend of everybody, identifying himself closely with the individual and collective interests of Lancaster. One trait of his character, commented upon by all who knew him, was his deferential bearing to his elders and his sympathy and aid to the sick and unfortunate. He was widely known and the esteem and confidence he enjoyed was co-extensive with his acquaintance.

The Park Street Hospital

The Park Street Hospital was organized in October, 1908. It has a capacity of ten patients. It has an operating room and modern equipment. Its matron and chief nurse is Jennie Gravett. Its consulting surgeon is Dr. George Boerstler; consulting and operating surgeon. Dr. J. J. Silbaugh ; anaesthitist, Dr. H. R. Plum. The visiting physicians and assistants are : Doctors H. F. Mondhank, George O. Beery, A. L. Guthrie, H. M. Samson, H. M. Hazelton, and C. W. Goss. This is the only hospital in Fairfield County. Since its organization many difficult and major surgical operations have been done by its operating surgeon and with excellent results. The medical cases treated here have be'en many and with far better results than in private practice.

The Lancaster Medical Re.Search Club

The Lancaster Medical Research Club was organized in 1908. Its first president was Dr. J. J. Silbaugh ; its first secretary. Dr. George Orman Beery. The club meets every Monday night at its club rooms in the Kirn building. The club is following the work outlined by .\merican Medical Association and will soon complete the fourth year of this work. Original research work is being done by the members of this club. Important clinical cases are brought before the society for diagnosis and discussion.